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Subtext: characters’ objectives & Superobjectives

Subtext: characters’ objectives & Superobjectives. Exploring the text via modern performance. Today’s Objective.

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Subtext: characters’ objectives & Superobjectives

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  1. Subtext: characters’ objectives & Superobjectives Exploring the text via modern performance

  2. Today’s Objective • Today I will evaluate the language, content, meaning, and significance of a passage in Act 2 of Othello by constructing responses to prompts about subtext and characters’ objectives.

  3. Looking Ahead… • In a few days, you will start working in groups on creating a modern script of a particular scene in either Act 3 or Act 4. • This activity today should give you a small taste of that fun exercise as well as some things to think about when you construct your modern scripts and prepare for your performances.

  4. Subtext – What is it? • Meaning that is not explicitly stated in a text, but is understood by readers/viewers • Implicit meaning • Inference • Metaphors provide subtext • Characters’ thoughts and motives can also provide subtext

  5. Character’s Objective • Examining a character’s objective is one way to help us understand the subtext of a text • A character’s objective = what he/she wants in that scene—the goal (Folger 169) • A character will attempt to achieve that goal until he/she is successful, at which point he/she will identify a new objective (Folger 169)

  6. Character’s Superobjective • Examining a character’s superobjective is another way to help us understand the subtext of a text • A character’s superobjective = what he/she wants by the end of the play/text—the ultimate goal “big picture” goal (Folger 169)

  7. Determining Characters’ Superobjectives • THINK / WRITE: (quickwrite #1) • Group 1: • What is Iago’s superobjective? • What is Desdemona’s superobjective? • Group 2: • What is Othello’s superobjective? • What is Cassio’ssuperobjective?

  8. Discussing Characters’ Superobjectives • PAIR-SHARE / SMALL GROUP / WHIP-AROUND: • Group 1: • What is Iago’s superobjective? • What is Desdemona’s superobjective? • Group 2: • What is Othello’s superobjective? • What is Cassio’ssuperobjective?

  9. Reading to Understand Subtext… • Round-Robin reading: 2.1.181 – 2.1.233 • Need 5 volunteers to read aloud to the class: • Someone to read stage directions • Iago  (groups 1, 2, 5) • Othello  (group 3, 4) • Desdemona (group 1, 2, 5) • Cassio (group 3, 4) • As they are reading, think about your character’s objective in this scene

  10. Writing to Understand Subtext… • THINK / WRITE: (quickwrite #2) • Independently and silently, write down your two characters’ objectives in this scene • Iago  (groups 1, 2, 5) • Othello  (group 3, 4) • Desdemona (group 1, 2, 5) • Cassio (group 3, 4)

  11. Performing to Understand Subtext… • Same passage (2.1.181 – 2.1.233) • 4 volunteers to perform this passage using modern language: • Iago • Othello • Desdemona • Cassio • Perform with your character’s objective in mind

  12. Discussing to Understand Subtext… • 4 performers explain their character’s objective in this scene • Agree? Disagree? Let’s discuss based on the quickwrites you just did • What did you notice in the reading? In the performance? • Compare/contrast the reading vs. the modern performance

  13. Reflecting to Understand Subtext… • For homework tonight: grab a half-sheet on your way out; it contains the following prompt: • How did the combination of reading, viewing, and/or participating in the modern performance today impact your understanding of this passage and/or of the play so far? How did our discussion of subtext help you better understand this passage, scene, act, and/or the play so far as a whole? Please be specific in your explanation.

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